ChatterBank5 mins ago
golden retriever or labrador
36 Answers
cant decide which dog to get.
Which would be better with children? Any advice would be apprieciated,never had a dog before. Thanks
Which would be better with children? Any advice would be apprieciated,never had a dog before. Thanks
Answers
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It could mean that the mother in not a purebred lab, or just not a very good specimen. Most Lab bitches should be roughly the same size if they are within the breed standard.
Can I suggest that you don't take any money or a cheque book when you visit, as puppies are all very appealing and it would be hard to say no.
Can I suggest that you don't take any money or a cheque book when you visit, as puppies are all very appealing and it would be hard to say no.
KC Breed Standard for Labs:
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/109
Make sure the parents are hip scored and eye tested. There is no excuse for the breeder not to do this.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/109
Make sure the parents are hip scored and eye tested. There is no excuse for the breeder not to do this.
I have rang loads of breeders today but they have no puppies. They are all very friendly saying oh try this number she might have some,then you ring them and they say the same. So in the end I rang one and she said I GOT ONE PUPPY LEFT and its a yellow dog. so im off to see him on sat.(if he does,nt go by then). He,s advertised as �390,Very good pedigree,home bred,mother available to see.
What sort of questions should I ask? obviously the hip/elbow and eyes thing.anything else i should look out for?
What sort of questions should I ask? obviously the hip/elbow and eyes thing.anything else i should look out for?
How many litters/puppies has the mother had? When did she have her last litter (if less than one year, be very wary, as unless she only had one or two puppies last time they really need at least a year between litters). How old is she? (Less than about two and a half years old is a bit young for a slow maturing breed to be bred from). Do they provide insurance cover? Whats the date of the last eye test, whats the hip scores, Have the parents been shown/worked, any major wins/awards? Can they put you in touch with someone who has one of their puppies? Are they keeping any of the puppies (if they say they are not and only have the one left that may be the one they want you to have, and not be showing you the rest).
Do they have other dogs that you can meet
and if so what are the temperaments like. They should be friendly and outgoing. They should look clean and well cared for (might sound obvious, but plenty of people buy a poorly puppy because they feel sorry for it).
Puppies should have a lovely sort of wheaty smell when you pick them up and sniff them (there's nothing on earth like it!) . Have they been microchipped or tattooed, have they been vet checked. Have they been out in the car, if kennel dogs, have they been indoors to experience washing machine, tv. etc. Have they had any vaccinations (if over 9/10 weeks should have had the first one). Will they give you a diet sheet and food for the first few days, will they be happy for you to contact them at any time if you are not sure of anything. Which vet do they use. Can they recommend a good training class?
Probably other things but these are basics, any good breeder will not mind you asking and seeing all their dogs. Another tip, don't decide on a name before you get one, or else you will end up thinking of the puppy as the name you have chosen and will want to bring him home no matter what. At least try to go back a second time to collect him. Enjoy.
Do they have other dogs that you can meet
and if so what are the temperaments like. They should be friendly and outgoing. They should look clean and well cared for (might sound obvious, but plenty of people buy a poorly puppy because they feel sorry for it).
Puppies should have a lovely sort of wheaty smell when you pick them up and sniff them (there's nothing on earth like it!) . Have they been microchipped or tattooed, have they been vet checked. Have they been out in the car, if kennel dogs, have they been indoors to experience washing machine, tv. etc. Have they had any vaccinations (if over 9/10 weeks should have had the first one). Will they give you a diet sheet and food for the first few days, will they be happy for you to contact them at any time if you are not sure of anything. Which vet do they use. Can they recommend a good training class?
Probably other things but these are basics, any good breeder will not mind you asking and seeing all their dogs. Another tip, don't decide on a name before you get one, or else you will end up thinking of the puppy as the name you have chosen and will want to bring him home no matter what. At least try to go back a second time to collect him. Enjoy.
thank you so much. Gonna print all that off for bedtime reading,if only my printer had flipping ink ahhhh right get me a biro.
the part of bristol where im going is very COUNTRYFIDE so im slightly hopefull. But being the only pup its hard not to have any others to compare it with. Had two breeders on phone today but they only had bitches,for some reason i dont want a bitch i want a dog and i dont know why. I havent actually thought about getting a bitch maybe i should.
the part of bristol where im going is very COUNTRYFIDE so im slightly hopefull. But being the only pup its hard not to have any others to compare it with. Had two breeders on phone today but they only had bitches,for some reason i dont want a bitch i want a dog and i dont know why. I havent actually thought about getting a bitch maybe i should.
A bitch would be slightly smaller, and although there is not much difference in temperament you would have the added
complication of her coming in season unless you had her spayed, and then you get the problem of being overweight, as Labs are renowned for being greedy dogs. I prefer dogs myself, but some people prefer bitches saying they are more loyal and loving. As its an only dog and a family pet, there is not really much to choose between a dog and a bitch.
complication of her coming in season unless you had her spayed, and then you get the problem of being overweight, as Labs are renowned for being greedy dogs. I prefer dogs myself, but some people prefer bitches saying they are more loyal and loving. As its an only dog and a family pet, there is not really much to choose between a dog and a bitch.
How old is the pup? Puppies should not really leave their mother until 8 weeks old, as the others have all been sold (presumably) then this pup will probably be older than 8 weeks.
Have you been given the option of seeing the father of the pups? Even though he does not live with the breeder you should be told who he is and be able to see him if you wish.
Also ask if the breeder endorses the pedigree - sometimes they put on the papers 'not to be bred from' or 'not to be exported' this shows they want to protect any puppies they breed. These can be lifted by the breeder at a later date. Some breeders want you to hip score the dog at 12 months old.
I also prefer breeders who insist that they will take the puppy back at any stage in his/her life should you run into difficulties.
Also expect them to be asking you as many questions as you ask them! After all they have had this pup for the first weeks of his life and should care about him and where he is going to end up.
Remember this pup is going to be a BIG part of you and your families lives for the next 10-15 years, you are going to see him first thing every morning and last thing every night before you close your eyes. Your children are going to grow up with him (think what ages they will be when you eventually loose him). He is seriously going to change your life (and break your heart one day in the future!), so choose carefully.
Have you been given the option of seeing the father of the pups? Even though he does not live with the breeder you should be told who he is and be able to see him if you wish.
Also ask if the breeder endorses the pedigree - sometimes they put on the papers 'not to be bred from' or 'not to be exported' this shows they want to protect any puppies they breed. These can be lifted by the breeder at a later date. Some breeders want you to hip score the dog at 12 months old.
I also prefer breeders who insist that they will take the puppy back at any stage in his/her life should you run into difficulties.
Also expect them to be asking you as many questions as you ask them! After all they have had this pup for the first weeks of his life and should care about him and where he is going to end up.
Remember this pup is going to be a BIG part of you and your families lives for the next 10-15 years, you are going to see him first thing every morning and last thing every night before you close your eyes. Your children are going to grow up with him (think what ages they will be when you eventually loose him). He is seriously going to change your life (and break your heart one day in the future!), so choose carefully.
Thats way too old unless they have run the dog on to decide whether to keep it for showing. Pups need to go to their new homes at between 8 - 10 weeks as that is when they are at a crucial stage of their development, and what they learn then stays with them for life.
The Kennel Club have just issued an information leaflet for puppy buyers:
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1736
Even if the others are sold unless its is older then there should be others still there. The father may not be available to see if it is owned by someone else and lives a long way away, but they should have some photos or information about him. Ask if you can speak to the stud dog's owner to ask about him.
All of these questions should be asked in a pleasant and informal manner, and they should ask you plenty too. I know it sounds like you are giving them the third degree but if they are genuine they won't mind. They will realise you have done your homework and are going about this in a sensible manner.
The Kennel Club have just issued an information leaflet for puppy buyers:
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1736
Even if the others are sold unless its is older then there should be others still there. The father may not be available to see if it is owned by someone else and lives a long way away, but they should have some photos or information about him. Ask if you can speak to the stud dog's owner to ask about him.
All of these questions should be asked in a pleasant and informal manner, and they should ask you plenty too. I know it sounds like you are giving them the third degree but if they are genuine they won't mind. They will realise you have done your homework and are going about this in a sensible manner.
got two viewings tomorrow. 1st one is with the one with the 1 puppy,another popped up on the web today so i rang and it turns out that its the daughter of the one im going to see tomorrow and she lives two doors down. hers are 7 weeks. Ive cancelled the 4 and a half month viewing one. so 2 o ****** tomorrow ive got 9 puppies to go and look at,kids in tow. I think it will go well?! I think the kids will have to stay in the car,other wise im gonna have 2 AHH CAN WE HAVE THAT ONE MUMMY, on my case.Got my sister coming with me and she doesnt like dogs so that will help,well atleast i hope so,i think secretly no one can resist the lab pupp,they are rather cute. so excited
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